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December 2011
NODA Area Agency on Aging
2901 North Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703
580-237-2236 or 800-749-1149
Caregiver Assistance News
CARING FOR YOU
CARING FOR OTHERS
Hygiene - Clean Care is Safer Care
Health Basics for the Kitchen
The dirtiest place in your house
isn't your bathroom—it's your kitchen
sink. Cleaner kitchen tips:
• Clear the sink of dishes and pans
before washing hands, and use
different towels to dry hands and
cookware.
• Keep cutting boards free of nicks and
grooves where bacteria can grow.
• Keep your refrigerator working
properly, and on a cold setting.
• Don't let food linger on countertops
before cooking and serving it.
• Keep pets off countertops and
dining tables.
• Damp dish towels breed bacteria.
Keep them clean and dry, or use
paper towels.
• Use dish rags, not sponges. Rags
dry faster and you can launder
them in hot water.
Clean Fruits and Veggies
What's the best way to wash fruits
and veggies? Scrub them under running tap water for at least 30 seconds!
Plain tap water is as good as anything
else at removing germs and pesticides.
To get your produce really clean,
dunk it in a mild vinegar and water
solution first (about V2 cup vinegar
to 5 cups water), then scrub under
tap water. This reduces germs by
up to 95%.
Source: New York Times: A Soap-and-Water Rinse Gets
Produce Cleanest
Indoor Air Pollution
Many things inside our homes
give off fumes that can be harmful,
especially to people with breathing
problems.
• Woodstoves and fireplaces that
give off woodsmoke can make
breathing problems much worse—
and may increase the risk of lung
cancer.
• Mattresses contain flame-retardant
chemicals that can seep into the
air. Periodically "air the bed"
by opening a window and leaving
the mattress exposed for a few
hours.
• Paints, vinyls, plastics, glues—
all give off small amounts of
fumes. Whenever possible, open
the windows and let fresh air
circulate.
Article continues
on page 2

This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders.

Full text

December 2011
NODA Area Agency on Aging
2901 North Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703
580-237-2236 or 800-749-1149
Caregiver Assistance News
CARING FOR YOU
CARING FOR OTHERS
Hygiene - Clean Care is Safer Care
Health Basics for the Kitchen
The dirtiest place in your house
isn't your bathroom—it's your kitchen
sink. Cleaner kitchen tips:
• Clear the sink of dishes and pans
before washing hands, and use
different towels to dry hands and
cookware.
• Keep cutting boards free of nicks and
grooves where bacteria can grow.
• Keep your refrigerator working
properly, and on a cold setting.
• Don't let food linger on countertops
before cooking and serving it.
• Keep pets off countertops and
dining tables.
• Damp dish towels breed bacteria.
Keep them clean and dry, or use
paper towels.
• Use dish rags, not sponges. Rags
dry faster and you can launder
them in hot water.
Clean Fruits and Veggies
What's the best way to wash fruits
and veggies? Scrub them under running tap water for at least 30 seconds!
Plain tap water is as good as anything
else at removing germs and pesticides.
To get your produce really clean,
dunk it in a mild vinegar and water
solution first (about V2 cup vinegar
to 5 cups water), then scrub under
tap water. This reduces germs by
up to 95%.
Source: New York Times: A Soap-and-Water Rinse Gets
Produce Cleanest
Indoor Air Pollution
Many things inside our homes
give off fumes that can be harmful,
especially to people with breathing
problems.
• Woodstoves and fireplaces that
give off woodsmoke can make
breathing problems much worse—
and may increase the risk of lung
cancer.
• Mattresses contain flame-retardant
chemicals that can seep into the
air. Periodically "air the bed"
by opening a window and leaving
the mattress exposed for a few
hours.
• Paints, vinyls, plastics, glues—
all give off small amounts of
fumes. Whenever possible, open
the windows and let fresh air
circulate.
Article continues
on page 2